Ric’s Corner’s Ric Drasin

How many years in Venice?

Since 1969. When it was bare and just us guys from Gold’s Gym and a few more.

Name of company:

Ric’s Corner is a You Tube channel with 33 million viewers! It is based on my history in bodybuilding and pro wrestling from the golden era in Venice Beach.

Tell us about your company:

I designed the famous Gold’s Gym logo that you see on t-shirts in 1973 as I was training with Arnold, Dave Draper, Joe Weider, and the boys at the beach. I developed more t- shirts for bodybuilding, including the World Gym gorilla and many designs for Muscle and Fitness magazine. This led me to write articles for magazines over the years. Then about ten years ago I began shooting video interviews with wrestling and body building super stars and it turned into one of the most popular shows on You Tube. It just keeps growing. I have a wrestling ring in my back yard for training students and a video studio in my house where I shoot and edit my show.

What is unique about your business?

I have 55 years of knowledge and success to share with fans.

Photo courtesy of ricdrasin.com

How did you come up with the name of your business?

It’s my name, Ric, and it’s my corner of the world. LOL

What would you say is the best thing about your organization?

The content of my shows and the way I relate it to the audience. They write in and tell me that they feel like I’m talking to them one on one.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Staying in shape at my age, developing the largest logo in the world and continuing avenues of success.

Future projects/Direction:

I just want to keep moving forward building a bigger audience and educating people with the my knowledge.

What have been your biggest challenges?

Every day is a challenge, but I meet it head on. Mostly wrestling injuries, but I work through them with a positive attitude and never miss the gym.

What has been your greatest reward of running your own business?

The response and positive comments that I get from the fans and how I have changed their lives to the better.

Photos by Jim Morris

What advice would you give someone starting out in your field?

Never give up, chase your passion and not the money. The money will come if you love what you do and be consistent and positive.

If you could go back in time, what’s one thing that you could have done differently?

Not one thing. I’m happy with how everything fell into place.

A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS:

Define success:

You don’t judge a man by his money, but by his legacy and accomplishments.

How did you get into professional wrestling?

I was working out at the YMCA in Bakersfield and had won a few powerlifting meets. Some wrestlers would come to town every Thursday and workout there. I mentioned I’d like to get into the business and they directed me to the Olympic auditorium in down town Los Angeles where Mae Young was training a few people. I drove about 2 hours down there, met her, and she put me in the ring and showed me a few things. She loved my muscles and said she could make money with me. I trained for 6 months, driving back and forth 5 days a week, and they finally booked me on channel 5. My career took off from there.

Level of competition/ Achievements:

Pro for 40 years and wrestled all over the country.

Photo courtesy of ricdrasin.com

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m a very self motivated person and find it easy to motivate others as well.

Favorite affirmation, mantra, or quote:

Success comes in “cans,” failure comes in “cant’s.”

Best memory:

The best memories are from working on TV in the old wrestling arenas, as well as the friends I made in the business.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Winning championship title belts and designing the famous Gold’s Gym Logo

What’s one thing we can do to make the world a better place?

Stop bullying, terrorism and drunk drivers.

VENICE QUESTIONS:

Describe Venice:

I love Venice and have so many memories! The wall murals, the smell of the sea and sound of the waves, as well going to the bodybuilding contests to catch up with old friends are some of my favorite things.

Favorite Venice go-to spots?

The weight pen at Muscle Beach, Gold’s Gym and the Firehouse.

What is your craziest or fondest Venice experience?

The 1970’s when everything was loose and easy, hanging on the beach making dates.

View Ric’s Corner’s Videos:

Anything else about Venice that you would like to say?

I go down every chance I get to recapture the memories of growing up there.

Anything else you want to share about yourself to the world? Fun facts or accomplishments.

I think i said it all. But watch my Monologues on Ric’s Corner. That’s where I vent.

Any shoutouts or thank you’s?

Thank you to all my friends at the beach and Gold’s that contributed to my success.

Interested in having a piece of Bodybuilding History, the Gold’s Gym logo?

Ric Drasin will draw and autograph one to you personally. Details here!

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Venice Paparazzi is an information website and photo agency for Venice, California. Alex and Edizen Stowell started Venice Paparazzi on the Venice Boardwalk in 2003. Since then we have covered over 1,500 events, boast a photo archive of over 600,000 photos, and have grown into Venice’s premiere media outlet for local events, Venice information, community spotlights and more.